France White Bordeaux Blends

France White Bordeaux Blends

Year in, year out, France enjoys its prestigious reputation as the producer of the finest wines in the world. With a wine making history which spans several thousand years and owes its expertise to the Romans, it comes as little surprise that this most highly esteemed of the Old World wine countries continues to impress and enchant both novices and experts to this day. Despite the rise in quality of wines from neighboring European countries, not to mention the New World, the French wine industry continues to boom, with up to eight billion bottles being produced in recent years. However, France prides itself on always putting quality before quantity, and the wide range in fine produce is a testament to the dedication and knowledge of the wineries across the country. Indeed, from rich and complex reds to light and aromatic white wines, French wines are as varied and interesting as they are enjoyable to drink, making this country a firm favorite for wine lovers across the globe.

The grape juice for dry white wines is fermented without the red skins. Immediately after the grapes are harvested, the skins are separated from the "must" (unfermented grape juice). The wine is bottled within twelve months of the grapes being picked. Recently, Bordeaux oenologists have led the way in improving white winemaking techniques. This has led to a much higher quality of dry white Bordeaux wines, making them fresher, more aromatic and more complex.

Serve sweet white bordeaux wines chilled but not too cold to appreciate their delicate, complex aromas ranging from honey and floral notes to pears, apricots and dried fruits. Good sweet Bordeaux should have a balance of acidity and sugar. Younger, lighter wines are a perfect accompaniment to fruit-based desserts, foie gras, roasted white meats and, as an alternative to port, blue cheese. However, a special, aged bottle with its rich, amber color is a dessert in itself!